Alasmari_2022_CNS.Neurol.Disord.Drug.Targets__

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that involves several impaired neuronal pathways. Modulating the amyloid-beta (beta-amyloid) system are being tested to treat AD. Amyloid beta neurotoxicity is associated with neuroinflammation and plaque formation, further progressing AD. Protecting neurons from beta-amyloid neurotoxicity could be an efficient strategy for the treatment of the AD. Thymoquinone (TQ) is an active ingredient in Nigella sativa (NS) and showed effective therapeutic properties in AD models. TQ was able to attenuate the behavioral dysfunctions in AD models. Moreover, TQ could attenuate the neuroinflammation properties in animals who have developed AD. In addition, studies showed that TQ could modulate beta-amyloid neurotoxicity, an effect associated with improved AD behavioral symptoms. In this review, we highlighted the therapeutic effects of TQ on the progression of AD through modulating beta-amyloid neurotoxicity and neuro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Other phenolic compounds present also in NS improved behavioral and neuronal impairments in AD models supported TQ anti-Alzhiemer efficacy.